BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF ESTROGENS ON ALTITUDE TOLERANCE OF RATS

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Abstract
IT IS well known that exposure to atmospheric conditions producing anoxia causes enlargement of the adrenal cortex. That this process serves a useful compensatory function is indicated by observations recently made in this laboratory by Lewis, Davis, Thorn and Jones (unpublished data). In their experiments two doses of adrenal cortical extract were given to normal rats 12 hours and 2 hours, respectively, before exposure. These consisted of 0.5 cc. of a concentrate in sesame oil, representing 10 cc. of Kendall's aqueous adrenal cortical extract per cc, or 750 gm. of adrenal cortical tissue. As judged by survivals in single exposures this treatment produced an increase in the tolerance of rats towards atmospheric pressure so lowered as to cause anoxia. The beneficial effect was equivalent to an increase of altitude tolerance of about 2000 to 3000 feet. Since desoxycorticosterone did not exert this effect in identical experiments, it was considered probable that the benefit depends on the carbohydrate regulating factor of the adrenal cortex.

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